[paulborklaserheyma]

The Rock obviously left in 2002 for movies.

But looking at his mic skills and overall quality, I really think 2002 might haven been his absolute peak year.

Now we'll never know for sure how he would've been if he stayed in WWE in 2002, but do you think 2002 would've been his best year in WWE if he didn't leave?

 

[DGenerationMC]

I disagree. I think his peak was in 2000. By 2002, people were starting to turn on Rocky.

 

[bigbuxxx]

I disagree. I think his peak was in 2000. By 2002, people were starting to turn on Rocky.

this

 

[CupofCoffee]

Of course, this is a rather subjective thing, but at least for me, Rocky was at his best in 1999/2000. After that, there was a noticeable drop in quality when it comes to his character and promos.

 

[BK Festivus]

2002 was definitely not his peak. Sure, he had the epic dream match with Hogan but his popularity was slowly starting to decline by 2001 once he started leaving to do movies. He had already reached his peak by Wrestlemania 17.

 

[5 Star Giulia ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐]

2002 was definitely not his peak. Sure, he had the epic dream match with Hogan but his popularity was slowly starting to decline by 2001 once he started leaving to do movies. He had already reached his peak by Wrestlemania 17.

Agreed with this. Wrestlemania 17 was probably his peak. However, we should not forget his epic heel run in 2003. Putting over Hurricane and trolling Toronto were great moments:

 

[GillbergReturns]

Rock was only like 29 years old he still had a good 5 years of his peak. Character wise he would certainly have to evolve but that was the era. Nothing last 2 years.

 

[Brock]

Rock was at his athletic best in ring in 2002 IMO. Just look at his PPV Matches that year alone. Hogan, Jericho, Lesnar, Taker/Angle. All quality.

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[Rusty Shackleford]

He was at his peak wrestling wise. As for character wise and promo wise, he was declining. I feel that his overall peak as a complete wrestler was 2000. His heel run in 2003 was good though and he needed that badly.

 

[The.Great.One]

All good opinions above, some didn't like him as much 2001+ but he had some amazing matches/promos/segments over 2002-2003 as well, and as "Bring Back Russo" mentioned his 2003 heel run was great.

I'm not sure on when he peaked tbh, I think he could have still done really well over 2004-2005, but looking back now as a HUGE Rock fan I am glad he left around that time.. he would have possibly just become stale and hated.

 

[ArabGuy]

He peeked in 2000 during his title reign post King Of the Ring.

2003 was short lived and a deviancy from the norm so we can't consider it a peak after 2 years of decline.

 

[KingLobos]

My personal peak of his was 1999. Subjectively his peak was 2000. When he left in 01 for Scorpion King and came back during the Invasion angle he was clearly not the same Rock.

 

[World's Best]

Rock was at his peak when he was heel 2003. Outside of Corporate Rock, it was his finest in terms of promos and ring work. Hollywood Rock is a GOAT heel.

 

[TheGreatD]

Yeah Hollywood Rock was phenonenal. I would say it could have lasted a bit longer though.

 

[The People's H2O]

Character/Promo wise he peaked in 1999 - Early 2000, but as an in-ring performer, I think 2002 was his peak year.

Beside, I don't think he's ever reached his full potential. He was only 30 when he left the company. That's pretty scary, considering all the things he's accomplished at that young age.

 

[-XERO-]

2000

 

[Axeslinger0u812]

I agree with the heel run in 2003 being his character peak, and wrestling peak being 2000.

 

[Leonardo Spanky]

Remember that time when The Rock shoved Vince McMahon's head straight into Rikishi's ass? Those were the days.

 

[JoMoxRKO]

PROMO/CHARACTER PEAK 99-00

ATHLETIC/RING WORK PEAK 01-02

 

[Mifune Jackson]

I think The Rock was still getting better around 2002. His best run was in 2000 when he got to be the top babyface in the company and had great feuds with HHH and Angle, but he was still getting better as a performer in 2002 and with Austin once again out of the picture in 2002, he could have really kept going as top babyface, but internal politics such as HHH's power consolidation, Brock being a new superstar in the works, and Hollywood calling his name really forced Rock's hand out of the business.

He was definitely different when he returned in 2003 and didn't last much longer than Austin did that year, but I look at that is him trying to do something different with his character. Had he stuck around, I think he could have had a much better 2003 with bigger feuds with Angle, Brock, Goldberg and HHH if he wanted and was able to turn babyface.